A race held in the Mojave Desert last month proved what is possible for unmanned ground vehicles’ potential role in combat operations. The race, sponsored by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), was the first time autonomous ground vehicles successfully completed the 132 – mile desert course using nothing but onboard sensors and navigation to steer themselves along the route The completion of the route, which was similar to those that typical military convoys follow in terms of difficult on and off road terrain, demonstrates the suitability of autonomous vehicles for long-range military missions.
Unmanned systems are playing an increasingly important role in combat operations. In the U.S. , unmanned air vehicles have already been used to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions and perform precision air strikes. DSTO’s Aerosonde UAV’s have undertaken intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Solomon Islands and while not as yet used in any operational capacity, the ADF has purchased six Skylark UAVs. Likewise, the development of unmanned ground systems would also significantly enhance the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and save lives. For example, unmanned ground vehicles could play an integral role in re-supplying dangerous missions without using humans as drivers, and without requiring troops for protection.
‘I envisage that in the future, unmanned battlespace vehicles will be deployed in fleets to gather information, conduct surveillance, sweep for mines, defuse bombs and carry out a range of dangerous tasks,’ DSTO Head of Automation of Battlespace, Dr Anthony Finn, said.
While unmanned vehicle technology is advancing, most commercially available models rely on a person to operate the vehicle remotely. In the past it was thought that vehicles that don’t require a human operator tended to move slowly and had difficulty in traversing terrain with minimal obstacles. However autonomous vehicles can move faster than their remotely controlled counterparts, a capability reinforced by the DARPA Grand Challenge.
Research into such autonomous vehicles (including unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) is being undertaken by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) under its Automation of the Battlespace Initiative (ABSI) working with companies such as Aerosonde, Saab, Nautronix and Tenix. DSTO is finding that advances in computing power, electronics, sensors, miniaturization and smarter software has made it possible to raise automation to a new level. DSTO is exploring the concept of expendable autonomous vehicles which will be inexpensive to manufacture and easy to repair. DSTO has also established a Centre of Expertise in Autonomous & Uninhabited Vehicle Systems at the University of Sydney to conduct research for defence specific applications.
Autonomous vehicles currently being investigated by DSTO include:
- An unmanned ground vehicle capable of autonomous navigation through difficult terrain that can carry supplies for soldiers and conduct reconnaissance missions;
- A remote controlled unmanned aerial vehicle built by the Australian company Aerosonde – capable of carrying electronic warfare, radar jamming, data and voice radio relay, intelligence and surveillance payloads; and
- Unmanned underwater vehicles known as Wayamba and Mullaya – capable of autonomous navigation, underwater surveillance, mine and other obstacle detection, hydrographic survey and communications with the surface without surfacing.
For more information on DSTO’s Automation of the Battlespace Initiative please see their website: www.dsto.defence.gov.au
Aerosonde UAV during trials in Australia
Wayamba underwater research vehicle performing submerged operations
Argo autonomous ground vehicle developed under DSTO/ACFR COE |
